Indo-Bangla ties at their best now: Sheikh Hasina

Kolkata: Indo-Bangla ties are at their best now, visiting Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said here on Friday while expressing her country's desire to continue the "excellent relationship" between the neighbouring nations.

"We have an excellent relationship. I think our mutual ties are at their best now. We want to continue the good relations with our neighbouring nation," Hasina said after a meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee at a city hotel.

Hasina, who was on a day-long visit to the city to watch the first day's play of the historic Day-Night Test between India and Bangladesh, said she has brought "good wishes" from the people of her country.

"I have brought good wishes on behalf of the people of Bangladesh. I have come at the invitation of Sourav Ganguly. It is the first Day-Night Test between the two countries being played with the pink ball. It is for this match that I have come," she said.

Recalling India's contribution to Bangladesh's liberation struggle, Hasina conveyed her "heartfelt thanks" to the people and government of India.

"We always remember with gratitude the contribution of the people of India during our 'Muktihjuddho' (liberation war) under the leadership of my father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (the first President of independent Bangladesh).

"I convey my heartfelt thanks to the people and government of this country. Whenever I come here, I feel great," she said.

The visiting leader recalled that one crore refugees from her country had taken shelter in India during the liberation war in 1971.

"They got all cooperation. We always remember it," she said.